Living Out The Marian Virtues

In the pursuit of a healthy, balanced life, it’s easy to focus only on what is visible like our strength, our routines, our physical progress; however, as Catholics and as members of the Pietra Fitness community, we know that true wellness is never just about the body. It is about the integration of body, mind, and soul, ordered toward the love of God.

But what does that actually look like in daily life? How do we grow not only in discipline, but in holiness? How do we ensure that our efforts are shaping more virtuous hearts?

In the spiritual classic True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort offers us a clear and beautiful path: look to Mary. He identifies the “ten principal virtues of the most Holy Virgin Mary” and in practicing these, we can help grow closer to Jesus through Mary.

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Profound humility

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“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” (Luke 1:46-49).

Through the words of the Magnificat, we can see the depth of Mary’s profound humility. Mary knew who she was before God and she rejoiced in it. She recognized both her littleness and God’s greatness, and it allowed His grace to work powerfully through her.

Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but seeing ourselves truthfully. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift, and allowing that truth to free us from comparison and the need to prove ourselves.

Some ways you can practice this in your own life is by regularly praying the Magnificat or the Litany of Humility. You can also meditate on Christ’s example of humility throughout His life, or by choosing to serve others quietly.

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Lively faith

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“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45)

Elizabeth’s words reveal the heart of Mary’s faith: she believed. Not because everything was clear or easy, but because she trusted in the One who spoke.

Mary’s faith was not passive; it was alive. It moved her to say “yes,” to go, to trust, and to persevere even when she did not understand—whether at the Annunciation, the Nativity, or standing at the foot of the Cross.

Faith is one of the three theological virtues and therefore, not a virtue we can obtain by our own effort; it is a gift of grace. However, we can open our hearts to fully receive this grace by seeking communion with the Giver of such a gift. Daily prayer, reading Scripture, frequent reception of the Sacraments will help you grow in this Marian virtue.

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Blind obedience

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“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary’s fiat is the perfect example of obedience. She surrendered her will completely to God’s plan, without needing to see the full picture. Her “yes” was immediate, trusting, and total.

Obedience is often misunderstood, but at its heart, it means aligning our will with God’s, even when it stretches us or leads us into the unknown.

In daily life, this might look like responding generously to your vocation, being faithful in the responsibilities entrusted to you, or listening to God’s voice in prayer and following where He leads.

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Continual prayer

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“Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Mary lived in constant communion with God. She reflected, listened, and remained attentive to His presence in every moment. Her prayer was not limited to a specific time or place—it permeated her entire life. Whether in silence, service, or suffering, her heart remained turned toward God.

Continual prayer for us means cultivating an awareness of God throughout the day. It is inviting Him into our routines, our workouts, our conversations, and even our struggles.

Some ways to grow in this are by offering small prayers throughout your day, practicing moments of silence and recollection, and beginning and ending your day with intentional prayer.

Universal Mortification

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“...and you yourself a sword will pierce” (Luke 2:35)

Mortification, in its truest sense, is not about harshness toward ourselves, but about a heart that is freed to love God above all things. Mary’s life was not one of ease or comfort, but of continual self-offering.

Simeon’s prophecy reveals the cost of love: a sword will pierce her heart. Mary does not avoid suffering; she unites herself to it. From Bethlehem to Calvary, she embraces whatever God allows, trusting that even sorrow can be redemptive.

Universal mortification for us means learning to detach from comfort, preference, and self-will so that we can more freely belong to God. It is choosing what is good over what is easy, and offering even our difficulties in love.

Practically, this may look like small daily sacrifices, faithful discipline in our habits, or accepting trials without bitterness.

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Divine purity

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“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)

Purity is not just about avoiding sin; it indicates an integrity of heart. It is living with a clear and undivided love, free from disordered attachments. Mary’s heart was completely pure—undivided and wholly given to God. Her desires, intentions, and actions were all ordered toward Him.

Living out this virtue begins with rooting out sin from our lives through the frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially Confession. A daily examination of conscience will also help you identify patterns of sin and grow in greater freedom and clarity of heart.

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Ardent Charity

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“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste…” (Luke 1:39)

Charity is the greatest of the theological virtues, binding us intimately to God and our neighbors. It is more than just a feeling or emotion; it is an active choice to will the good of others, reflecting the selfless love God has for us. 

After the Annunciation, Mary did not turn inward after receiving such a great gift; she turned outward, bringing Christ to others, specifically her cousin Elizabeth. In doing so, she demonstrated her profound and self-giving love 

Similar to faith, the virtue of charity is first and foremost a grace, so prayer is at the heart of this virtue. Another way to practice this virtue in your own life is through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy which give us a model for how we should love and serve Christ by loving and serving our neighbors. 

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Heroic Patience

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“And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:4-7)

Mary’s life was marked by quiet endurance. From the journey to Bethlehem to the poverty of the manger, she embraces circumstances that are uncertain, uncomfortable, and far from what the world would consider ideal.

Mary does not resist the reality placed before her; she receives it with trust. Even in poverty, displacement, and obscurity, she remains at peace.

This kind of patience is deeply countercultural. It resists frustration, comparison, and the need for immediate resolution. Instead, it anchors itself in the belief that God is present and active even in delay and difficulty.

You can begin to grow in this virtue by offering small annoyances to God as acts of trust, reminding yourself that He is in control. Pause to pray when you feel frustration rising. By nurturing a calm and trusting heart, you can turn moments of impatience into opportunities for grace, gradually shaping your interior disposition to mirror Christ’s patient endurance.

Angelic Sweetness

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"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" (Luke 1:40-44)

Angelic sweetness is the virtue that reflects Mary’s gentle, peace-filled presence. At the Visitation, we see the effect of Mary’s presence: joy is stirred, the Holy Spirit is awakened, and even the unborn John the Baptist leaps in response.

Mary does not need many words or grand gestures. Her greeting alone carries grace. Her sweetness is not a bubbly personality; it is the overflow of a heart fully united to God.This kind of holiness draws others toward God rather than toward herself. It brings peace into a room, and consolation to those in need.

For us, angelic sweetness can be lived in how we speak, how we listen, and how we enter into the lives of others. It is choosing gentleness, patience, and encouragement over criticism, especially in the ordinary interactions of daily life.

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Divine Wisdom

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“Do whatever he tells you.” (Luke 2:5)

Mary did not rely on her own understanding; Her wisdom came from her closeness to God. She was deeply attuned to His will because she always conversed with the Lord before anything else; she sought to know His will so she could put it into action. 

She knew when to act, when to speak, and when to remain silent, like at Cana, where she simply instructed the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Divine wisdom for us grows through prayer, Scripture, and openness to the Holy Spirit. It helps us discern what is truly good and choose rightly in our daily lives.

You don’t need to take on all ten virtues today. In fact, holiness rarely begins that way. It usually begins with one small “yes.” Maybe this week, you simply choose one virtue to focus on—one way to imitate Mary in your thoughts, your habits, or your daily routines. 

Over time, these small practices shape something beautiful in us: a heart more open to God, more free in love, and more willing to say yes. 

In this month dedicated to Our Lady, let Mary teach you how to live each day with God at the center.

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